Stability analysis of electric transmission line tower made with composite material carbon fiber epoxy - An innovative approach

Abstract

Using of composite materials as lattice transmission tower structural material is increasing over conventional zinc galvanized steel materials because of some special features. Special attention should be paid regarding strength and stability of the transmission tower structure which are made with composite materials. In this present study, an effort has been made to analyze the strength and stability of transmission tower made with composite material, Carbon Fiber Epoxy (CFE). The transmission tower is modeled in STAAD considering CFE as structural material to analyze it in terms of strength and stability with different loading conditions in real life application. The maximum tensile stress is found at the transmission tower members near to the base of the structure with the amount of 210MPa. The breaking stress of CFE material is 1200MPa which is much more than the tensile stress occurs at the transmission tower at different loading conditions. The innovative design approach incorporating stability analysis found to be most competent for stating the stability and strength of tower and further clarify the safety approach of design.